Exposure of farmers to phosmet, a swine insecticide

Objectives The goal of this study was to measure dermal and inhalation expo sures to phosmet during application to animals and to identify what determi nants of exposure influence the exposure levels. Methods Ten farmers were monitored using dermal patches, gloves, and air sa mpling media during normal activities of applying phosmet to pigs for insec t control. Exposures were measured on the clothing (outer), under the cloth ing (inner), on the hands, and in the air. Possible exposure determinants w ere identified, and a questionnaire on work practices was administered. Results The geometric mean of the outer exposure measurements was 79 mu g/h , whereas the geometric mean of the inner exposure measurements was 6 mu g/ h. The geometric mean for hand exposure was 534 mu g/h, and the mean air co ncentration was 0.2 mu g/m(3). Glove use was associated with the hand and t otal dermal exposure levels, but no other determinant was associated with a ny of the exposure measures. The average penetration through the clothing w as 54%, which dropped to 8% when the farmers wearing short sleeves were exc luded. The farmers reported an average of 40 hours a year performing insect icide-related tasks. Conclusions Farmers who applied phosmet to animals had measurable exposures , but the levels were lower than what has been seen in other pesticide appl ications. Inhalation exposures were insignificant when compared with dermal exposures, which came primarily from the hands. Clothing, particularly glo ves, provided substantial protection from exposures. No other exposure dete rminant was identified.